Chapter 385: Magic (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 385: Magic (5)
Several weeks passed.
"It’s finally coming into view."
Just as Penia said, Rosario began to appear in the distance.
Alon fell into thought as he gazed at the landscape.
He had one primary task in Rosario.
To meet the Goddess Sironia, just as 'that thing' had instructed.
If there was anything else to do...
'...It would be asking Yutia about Aberrant Blood.'
Aberrant Blood.
Alon didn't know much about him.
The only information he had was that Yutia Bloodia was Aberrant Blood’s daughter, and that Aberrant Blood had once brought two empires to ruin.
That was the extent of it.
However, there was a chance Yutia Bloodia knew something.
She was his daughter, after all.
'Of course, there’s a possibility she doesn’t know either.'
The reason Alon was able to realize Yutia Bloodia was Aberrant Blood’s daughter was, naturally, because of the descriptions within Psychedelia.
But in the unlikely event that Yutia Bloodia was unaware of her own parentage, she might not know her own identity either.
...Though the probability of that was surely abysmally low.
"Whew—"
Having reached that point in his thoughts, Alon decided to simply admit it.
Currently, he felt a sense of reluctance about asking Yutia about 'Aberrant Blood.'
He wasn't sure why, but the feeling was undeniable. If it weren't, he wouldn't be agonizing over it like this.
Feeling a strange sense of unease, Alon suddenly thought of Elivan.
The man who had been moving toward a certain goal—one Alon still didn't fully understand.
"Penia."
"Yes?"
"Do you happen to know what happened to Elivan?"
"Elivan?"
"Yes."
Penia tilted her head for a moment, thought briefly, and then answered.
"From what I heard last, most of his wounds have healed. However—"
"He hasn't woken up yet?"
"No. Even though the Marquis said they brought him to Divine Land and have been caring for him, he still hasn't regained consciousness."
Alon let out a small sigh and shook his head.
Suddenly, the dilemma he was facing felt rather pointless.
'...I'll just ask her.'
Alon reached a conclusion.
Before he knew it, the gates of Rosario were drawing near.
'Both Yuman and Yutia told me to stop by here, and I’m only just arriving.'
Alon pushed aside his thoughts about Yutia and recalled the original reason he had come here.
'Goddess Sironia.'
In truth, Alon’s perception of Goddess Sironia had changed several times.
At first, she was just a typical goddess in a fantasy world.
Then, she was a somewhat incomprehensible deity whose motives were unclear.
After that, he perceived her as a god who appeared during the forgotten era of the Outer Gods.
But now, his thoughts had shifted once more.
To be more precise, it was more accurate to say he was filled with questions.
He never expected the name of Goddess Sironia to come out of the mouth of that blue-eyed entity.
'Well, I’ll find out everything soon enough.'
As Alon’s carriage approached, the gates moved as if they had been waiting.
The firmly shut gates swung open, and behind them—
"..."
He saw Yuman waiting.
Yuman smiled the moment he spotted the carriage.
Seeing that, Alon found himself feeling strangely self-conscious as he stepped down from the carriage.
"Welcome, Brother."
Yuman greeted him immediately as he stepped out.
In truth, Alon had no reason to feel self-conscious. He hadn't done anything wrong to Yuman.
However, unlike before, Alon was now aware of how Yuman 'misunderstood' him.
That was the reason Alon felt a bit uncomfortable around Yuman.
Even if it wasn't the case right after Divine Land was established, by this point, Yuman must surely know that Alon intended to proclaim his own kingdom separately.
...Anyway, because of that, Alon had felt a sense of discomfort when he spoke with Yuman during the meetings following the battle with The Burdened One.
"It has been a while, Saint."
"Yes, I have been waiting for you. Please, come inside."
Contrary to Alon's worries, Yuman simply smiled and guided the group.
Alon naturally followed him into Rosario.
"Oh—"
"It’s recovered quite a bit."
[Hmph. I see.]
[Kyu.]
As soon as they entered Rosario, Evan, Penia, Basiliora, and Blackie let out exclamations of admiration.
Alon felt the same.
Rosario, half of which had been completely ruined by Sin, had returned to being the same pure white city it once was.
He spent a moment gazing at the white city, which looked as if it wouldn't permit even a single shred of darkness, before the group arrived at the temple.
* * *
Upon arriving at Yuman’s office, Alon received news of Yutia, who—unusually—hadn't come out to meet them.
"She’s away for a moment?"
"Yes, but she will likely return by this evening or tomorrow."
"I see."
Afterward, Alon shared some light conversation with Yuman.
Then, just as he was about to bring up the main reason he had come to Rosario...
"It would be best for you to recover from your travel fatigue today and meet the Goddess tomorrow."
Yuman spoke first.
Alon was startled behind his expressionless mask.
"You knew?"
"Yes, the Goddess herself mentioned that you would be coming, Brother."
"...Goddess Sironia did?"
"Yes."
Alon unconsciously rubbed his chin.
The fact that Goddess Sironia was waiting for his visit was unexpected.
'Is Goddess Sironia really related to the blue-eyed entity?'
Lost in thought for a moment, Alon remembered that Yuman was still in front of him.
"Thank you for your consideration."
"No, isn't this only natural? You are my Brother, after all."
Yuman waved his hand with a smile.
Watching him, Alon hesitated before speaking.
"Um, I’m saying this just in case."
"Hmm? Yes, Brother?"
Looking at that good-natured smile, Alon debated whether or not to say it.
He knew, deep down, that it was already too late to clear up the misunderstanding.
Still, he felt it was better to address it at least once.
"By any chance... is the misunderstanding still not cleared up?"
Alon asked cautiously.
At that, Yuman stared at Alon for a moment before giving a bright smile.
"What misunderstanding are you referring to?"
"That—"
Alon was suddenly at a loss for words.
Come to think of it, there wasn't just one thing Yuman was mistaken about.
'Where do I even start?'
It was a dilemma.
However, Alon’s internal struggle didn't last long.
"I don't know which misunderstanding you mean, but if you're worried that I treat you this way because of a misconception, you needn't be."
"...Pardon?"
Before Alon could say anything else, Yuman beat him to the punch.
"It is as I said. Even if you hold a different status than what I imagined, I do not believe that is an issue."
"Is... that so?"
"Yes, for I believe in what I have seen with my own eyes."
Yuman sent him a kind smile and a gaze full of trust.
"So, there is no need to worry so much, Brother."
He spoke once more with great benevolence.
"Now, I shall guide you to your quarters."
Yuman stood up first.
Following behind him, Alon was reminded once again of what kind of person Yuman was.
'...So this is a Saint.'
People generally place great importance on affiliation. He knew that was especially true in religion.
Therefore, Yuman’s reaction was incredibly refreshing to Alon.
"Let us go."
"Yes."
And Penia and Evan, who had been listening to the conversation from behind...
"Was that... did the Marquis just feel a sense of admiration?"
"What—is he finally starting to realize?"
"Well, they’ve been together for several years now."
"I guess. You can tell just by looking at him! He’s probably thinking, 'I can't believe it! As expected of a Saint!'"
"...Actually, considering what the Marquis has done, I think anyone would revere him, not just a Saint."
"None of us are unaware of that. It’s only the Marquis, who has a strangely low level of self-awareness, who doesn't know."
They followed behind Alon, whispering quietly to each other.
* * *
The next day.
Guided by Yuman, Alon headed straight to the Room of the Holy Spirit, where he could meet Goddess Sironia.
"Then, I shall step outside."
As soon as they reached the room, Yuman quietly turned and left.
Alon gazed at the massive statue that easily filled the room.
At that moment.
Wooooong—!
Even though Alon hadn't used any mana, a pure white light began to flow from the statue.
Recognizing this as the precursor to Goddess Sironia speaking, Alon waited calmly and thought.
'What will I hear?'
He had developed some expectations on the way to Rosario, but Alon himself couldn't guess what the content would be.
He still couldn't even begin to imagine what kind of relationship existed between the blue-eyed entity and Goddess Sironia.
However, certain that he would gain something here, he stood still and watched the statue.
The moment the light erupting from the statue ceased its flickering and shone with a steady, pure white glow...
[Hello?]
The voice that reached him was Goddess Sironia’s... or was it?
"...Huh?"
Alon looked at the statue in bewilderment.
The statue was definitely glowing brightly. There didn't seem to be any outward problem.
Yet, the reason Alon hesitated was because of the Goddess’s voice.
'...I’m sure it used to sound very mature—that kind of feeling.'
The voice of Goddess Sironia he remembered was holy and adult-like. If his memory wasn't failing him, it definitely was.
But the voice of the Goddess he was hearing now was very young.
It was closer to the voice of a young girl than an adult woman.
Because of that...
"...Are you Goddess Sironia?"
[Hmm, strictly speaking, no. Because—]
Alon asked.
And then Goddess Sironia—no—
[—I am the 'Divine Blood' that is her original source.]
"!"
—it answered like that.